Tag Archives: culture

Visiting The Top Tourist Attractions In Yemen

Author: Jeremy | Category: Countries | Tags: attractions, culture, History, Islands, Middle-East, nature, UNESCO

Many people visit Yemen to see its top tourist attractions every year. Situated at the South-bend of the Arabian Peninsula in South West Asia, Yemen is a part of the countries of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is on its north, Oman to the East, and Red sea to the West. Yemen has more than 200 islands it takes pride of. One of them is Socotra – the largest among Yemen Islands just 415 km off the coast of Somalia. It is the sole republic of the Arabian Peninsula.

Socotra Island has a very diverse flora and fauna that can only be seen in the island. Only here will you see a flesh-eating centipede and countless varieties of reptiles and birds. A must-see sight here is the Dragon’s Blood trees.

The capital of the Republic of Yemen is Sana’a. This city is a second century city listed among the World Heritage sites by UNESCO. If you are in Yemen, you will feel like you are in a biblical era because men and women here still wear traditional clothes and houses are made of rammed earth and look like pictures of biblical or Koran houses hence, including it in the top tourist attractions in Yemen.

Shibam is another notable city to visit due to its amazing landscape holding numerous tourists around the year. A majestic group of clay and stone as well as wood buildings is its main attraction. Shibam is also fondly called as the Manhattan of the Desert and is considered to be the first city of skyscraper buildings in the whole world with some structures having a height of eight stories. Though this is not an archaeological site, Shibam is a living city.

Wadi Dhahr is also an ought-to-see valley abundant with vegetables and fruits. In 1930’s, Imam Yahya’s palace was erected here on top of a high rock that is why it’s called the Rock Palace or the Dar Al Hajar.

Aden City is a magnificent city which is among the top tourist attractions in Yemen. It is where Aden Museum is situated. It is also always visited by tourists because of its fun-filled water parks, lagoons, and bird watching activities. There are also a number of beautiful hotels and resorts here which are perfect places for leisure and unwinding.

There are just a lot more top tourist attractions in Yemen to experience. For souvenir hunting, visit Kawbakan City and Souk of Beit Al-Faqih. The Shihara Suspended Bridge is a 17th century bridge and its Sunday Market is popular to tourists. The Rock Art of Sa’da has ancient drawings and texts that were written by nomadic tribes which date back about 4,500 years ago.

24 Jun 2014

The Top Reasons To Visit Craigavon, Northern Ireland

Author: Jeremy | Category: Countries | Tags: attractions, cafes, culture, golfing, nature, Northern Ireland, skiing, United Kingdom, watersports

It may not seem like a much, but the top reasons to visit Craigavon will be enough to make you appreciate your vacation experience in Northern Ireland. This small settlement in the county of Armagh depicts the simple lifestyle which the Irish have been widely known for. And it also takes you away from the busy, deafening and oftentimes claustrophobic environment of usual tourist destinations in the country.

Craigavon was initially planned to be a “New City” for Northern Ireland, mirroring similiar developments in the nation of Great Britain. But because of certain hitches in the planning, Craigavon was not able to deliver as much as it should in terms of development. In spite of this, changes have brought forth tourism advantages for the nation, with the availability of recreational facilities like shopping centers, parks with artificial lakes, playing fields, public gardens and petting zoos. And those who are fond of skiing would definitely appreciate the artificial ski slopes that have been built in and/or near the area.

One of the top reasons to visit Craigavon is Wetlands Way at Portadown, which is just 3 miles out of the city. This is especially a must for those who enjoy being at one with nature and who love to challenge themselves. However, if this trail does not give you enough excitement, or in contrast gives you too much, you could explore other highlights within this area like the Millennium Court Arts Center, which contains two galleries and hosts a number of creative and cultural events all year round.

The Chimes Coffee House is also something you should look into checking out if you wish to have a taste of Ireland’s very own specialty teas, coffees and home-made delicacies. And the best part about this latter landmark is you get to appreciate a view of St. Mark’s Church.

Within the residential area, people can seek out another one of the top reasons to visit Craigavon, the Tannaghmore Gardens, which is located on Lurgan’s. Unlike the previous options, this site provides guests with up-close interactions with local and rare animal breeds. And just at close proximity is the Barn Museum, where information as well as preserved remains of the animals are displayed.

The Craigavon Golf & Ski Center should offer you more adrenalin-pumping pastimes while in town. But if you’re into water activities, the Lough Neagh and River Bann should extend you enough opportunities to engage in some swimming, canoeing and other water sports.

10 May 2014

Top Things To Do In Sydney

Author: Jeremy | Category: Countries, Featured | Tags: attractions, Australia, beaches, culture, museums, surfing, Sydney, theme parks, wildlife

The top things to do in Sydney aren’t top secret. In fact, they’re pretty much a giveaway due to its popularity. Known as the Harbor City, Sydney is the oldest, largest and most developed city in Australia and is one of the most visited in the world. It ranks high on the list of most beautiful and livable cities. Sydney is a hub in the Pacific for business, design, culture, art, history, fashion, boating and cuisine. Hence, when you go here, you’ll not only be greeted by iconic sites, you’ll also be able to join in some interesting activities.

One of things you should definitely do is attend a performance at the Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Danish architect Jorn Utzon back in the 1970s. Many make the mistake of thinking the opera house only offers performances, but it actually is a multi-use venue that hosts around 1,500 types of gatherings each year, attended by more than 1.2 million people. Around the Sydney Opera House, you can enjoy a multitude of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops. Don’t miss the sunrise here which offers amazing views of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and skyline, it’s magnificent.

To add to the list, you could also consider water-based activities as one of the top things to do in Sydney as it is also where you’ll find Bondi Beach, the setting for many surfing, sailing and swimming competitions over the past few years. This widely popular strip of sand surrounded by suburbs is popular with tourists and locals alike, and is a spectacle to see during the summer. There are plenty of bikini clad ladies, good-looking men as well as pods of whales and dolphins cruising the area!

Don’t miss Rushchutters Bay, a very nice suburb near the city center where you can enjoy a bit more relaxed of an atmosphere, but still being just minutes from the Sydney mix. Rushchutters Bay also houses the d’Albora Marina which is a fun place to hang out and check out all of the amazing boats coming and going.

Now, if these top things to do in Sydney don’t satisfy your curiosity, you could always head on out to Luna Park (a popular amusement park), located in Milsons Point, which has been in existence since 1935. Some of the attractions include the Staple Rotor, which has been operated since the park’s opening, the Skylab Ferris Wheel, which gives you a view of the area from 35 meters up in the air, and the Wild Mouse roller coaster, to name a few. Other hangouts you could check out after are the Taronga Zoo, Sydney Observatory, and the Powerhouse Museum.

25 Apr 2014

Top Tourist Attractions in Vatican City

Author: Jeremy | Category: Countries | Tags: Catholicism, Christianity, churches, culture, museums, Vatican City

The top tourist attractions in Vatican City are an interesting set of landmarks that lie in the holiest place of the Catholic faith. Vatican City is located within the city of Rome. It has a relatively small land area but ironically, its size does not immediately correlate with its global influence. In fact, the Vatican City is even one of the most powerful nations in the world nearly equal to the United States of America, China, Russia and Saudi Arabia in terms of its economic importance.

The Vatican City remains as one of the most special places on earth because it is a perfectly functional theocracy. It has certain religious authority over the international members comprising the biggest spiritual organization in the planet. While other theocracies fail, the Vatican City remains intact for 2000 years.

1. Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel remains the most iconic of the top tourist attractions in Vatican City. It is located within the complex of the Apostolic Palace, which is the official residence of the pope. What makes the Sistine Chapel so noteworthy is that its interior walls, especially the vaulted ceiling, are decorated with masterpiece paintings of Renaissance history’s greatest artists. Raphael’s frescoes depict the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul in the service of God.

2. St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s Square is the most popular among the top tourist attractions in Vatican City – popular meaning it is always flocked with visitors from Italy or beyond. Interestingly, St. Peter’s Square is shaped like a key from aerial view, which depicts the inheritance of the apostle Peter as the chief builder of Christ’s church. The St. Peter’s Square is very crowded during special vigils and papal inaugurations, with the latest event about the cardinal from Argentina being elected as Pope Francis I in March 14, 2013.

3. Casina Pio IV

The Casina Pio IV is a famous learning center for the College of Cardinals that runs the Vatican City. Curiously, this patrician villa is divided into three schools according to their special field. The Pontifical Academy of Sciences is a school focusing on pure sciences such as biology, chemistry and astronomy (with the latter integral for the creation of the Vatican Observatory). The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences is close to the heart of the Catholic doctrine focusing on the global issues that Christian societies face. Lastly, the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas caters to a wide array of academic fields.

4. Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums store the chronicles of the Vatican institution. The story of Christianity is written in the documents and codices housed in its libraries. Some of these written texts are highly guarded secrets pertaining to prophecies in the past made by saints.

The Vatican Museums also keep and display an extensive collection of relics, especially the types of old weaponry found in the vaults of the Swiss Guard armory. This is the place to investigate Vatican history, whether good or bad.

19 Mar 2014

Top Reasons To Visit South Korea

Author: Jeremy Albelda | Category: South Korea | Tags: Asia, culture, Food, History, natural, Outdoors, reasons to visit, South Korea

Bright lights and a vibrant city life is one of the top reasons to visit South Korea. But there’s more to this Asian country than neon-laden cities and urban jungles. South Korea has a history that spans hundreds of years and much of its culture is still well-preserved, thanks to the unsuccessful colonization of the Europeans.

But despite this, South Korea remains to be at the forefront of technology and entertainment, as K-pop music and fashion is slowly making its way into the mainstream media (some of which are already dominating the US Billboard Charts).

So, pack your Delsey luggage, get your passport ready, and get ready to enjoy the top reasons to visit South Korea!

Authentic Korean Food. Korean cuisine offers a great variety of flavours, from mild to downright spicy. Choose among some of the most appetising dishes, from mouth-watering bulgogi, traditional Korean noodle dishes, to Korea’s national food Kimchi, a fermented vegetable side dish.

Korean cuisines are both healthy and delectable, catering to both vegetarians and meat lovers alike. It is no wonder Koreans have great, supple skin.

Natural attractions. South Korea is not all neon-lights and brick and mortar establishments and concrete pavements. It still preserves some of its natural attractions, such as the Jeju Islands (also called the “Island of the gods”, and the majestic views in the Seoreksan National Park.

Cultural heritage. South Korea is home to a great number of UNESCO World Heritage sites. And you won’t even have to go from city to city to discover it. Taking a leisurely stroll along Gyeongju or Seoul (or joining a tour, if you find that more convenient), you will be able to marvel at a great number of old palaces, temples and gates which have a lot of story to tell about the history of South Korea.

Bathhouses. One of the top reasons to visit South Korea is their bathhouses. Choose from a great variety of saunas and spas, from milk baths, mud baths or even baths with temperatures ranging from cool to scalding hot.

Either way, you are guaranteed a relaxing way to call it a day after touring Seoul or feasting on authentic Korean cuisine in one of the most interesting countries in the world!

21 Feb 2014